Child Care Association of Illinois agencies provide services and support, within the child's home community, for more than 75% of Illinois wards of the State. These agencies have supported the movement of children into permanent homes and have also escalated adoption and permanency efforts for these children. Illinois successes in these efforts have led to the state holding the highest number for adoptions and guardianships in the nation for three years in a row.
These dedicated voluntary agencies provide a wide range of services for children and youth. In addition to providing permanent homes and treatment centers for troubled and vulnerable children, they provide support for vulnerable families, counseling programs, group home and independent living alternatives for older children, and much, much more. Some are faith-based, some were established in the early years of the 20th century as orphanages and many are community-based service providers.
The world has changed, and the role of the voluntary child caring agency has changed with it. The mission of the Child Care Association of Illinois is to promote, protect, advocate for and strengthen a responsive, not-for-profit service delivery system and shape public policy for the benefit of children and their families.
Your financial support will help to ensure that our mission to be an advocate will be fulfilled. We will continue our advocacy efforts to maintain the Family Centered Services Program which impacts local communities and to provide testimony to the Illinois Legislation regarding funding to the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education. The more successful that we are at influencing State budgets and legislation through our legislators, will mean brighter tomorrows for children in your community and across Illinois. We will provide you with regular updates on advocacy efforts and activities through a newsletter. Please give consideration to becoming a sponsor.
Sincerely, Margaret M. Berglind President and CEO